Art of the Flop

 As the NBA becomes popular world wide and further representation popping up on every NBA team’s roster from all-continents, they’ve brought with them an ingenious strategy that we’ve seen perfected on futbol pitches around the globe: the art of the flop. There’s many players around the NBA league that has been practicing, and honestly perfecting their flop technique, where it’s now potentially impacting outcomes of games. It’s becoming a talking point looking at rule changes to potentially apply consequences, such as T-ing up those partaking in the practice (that’s a technical foul, by the way- where the team affected by the action gets a free-throw and possession). We’ve been witnessing such performances in every playoff series going on right now. Some of the infamous flopping we’ve experienced come from players such as Nikola Jokic, James Harden, Chris Paul, LeBron James and some not so successful attempts from Jordan Poole. 

The Golden State Warriors are on the brink of elimination in the western conference semi-final playoff series. With less than two minutes left in game 4 versus the Los Angeles lakers, the Warriors were up 7 points and looking to even up the series when a collection of disastrous shot selections, and unforced turnovers took place, specifically an errant pass, and losing possession of a jump ball, and NOT using a time out available when Steph Curry fell to the floor and nowhere to go (Steph pulled the ‘Michigan Final Four’ error last series against Sacramento Kings, where he called for a time out, where no timeout was left… possibly hesitant to avoid that situation; maybe it would be a good idea to remind players of the TO status as gems are winding down with fate of series direction at stake). On top of seeing a game slip away from your control, is the gross disparity of free-throw attempts between the Lakers and Warriors. The Los Angeles Lakers have 83 free throw attempts versus the Warriors with only 39 through game three. One of my ‘lovely’ Lakers fan friends cheekily replied, “You don’t have opportunity to get fouled when all you’re doing is shooting 3’s...” Of course, if he was actually watching twelve minutes in all four quarters, he’d know we also post up, and have in-line shooters, also! To add to that disparity, are those phantom fouls- the flop on fleek by LeBron, Russell and many other role players learning the technique coming off the bench. 

Of course, there were season-high performances by Reaves and Williams IV in the second half. Reaves was burning our coverage making 3’s and shooters left and right at will. Williams IV scored 15 points for the Lakers in the fourth quarter, just two points shy of scoring the same total as the Warriors! The last player to do such a performance in a playoff game in the final quarter would be the Mamba himself, Kobe Bryant (man, I am nowhere near a Lakers fan, but I did love, respect Kobe’s heart and game; I miss him, as many do!). It’s difficult repeating a championship run. Going through an 82-game season, as well as playing the full gamut of a championship playoff run is ALOT of physical endurance and strength; and then to be expected to display the same intensity the following season?! Ooof, that’s huge, especially when the heart of your line-up and future hall-of-famers are north of thirty years old. The amount of conditioning that every player needs to commit to premier performances night in and night out would be considered insane for the average Biff and Joe Blow in the gym. There’s players and combination line-ups I hope Kerr will evaluate and consider for game five. The Warrior achilles so far has been inconsistent performance on defense, and shot selection. I’d like to see Gary Peyton II step up, Two-Way-Wiggins appear on both ends of the floor, Looney grab some offensive boards and put back up for two and consider giving phenom youngster Jonathan Kuminga some minutes, and see if he can play up to the remaining playoff rosters’ caliber.  

All of us rooted and behind the Gold-Blooded, Strength in Numbers and ‘We Believe’ Golden State Warriors are hoping this will come down to game 7 at Chase… Prayers, voice loud and hands up with the layups, dunks and treys! Let’s go Blue and Gold!